Tales from the craft room

Sunday, 6 March 2016

The last two Wanderlust themes have been inter-connected. What is the bravest thing you have done and what do you see you see when you look in the mirror.

So the bravest thing I have done is let go of the past. It was weighing me down. I feel so much better without the regrets, fears, anxiety, wishing to change what cant and failures. I cant change it but I can learn and move on.

So on to what I see in the mirror. It has always fascinated me that I see the opposite in the mirror than what others see. That probably is true as I hide myself from some. I have wanted to create a stencil of myself since seeing it it in Dina Wakley's book art journal courage. What I see in the the mirror is a strong creative girl. Who loves life and is happy to be herself. However not sure that is what others see though. A Mum, wife or work colleague? So I took a picture of myself and altered through photoshop using threshold. I saved and printed onto card.

I then cut out the black bits to make a stencil. I used both sides to make my images. One I show as internal and within my head, and the other free.

Thursday, 11 February 2016

This is my attempt at still life since school as helped by an excellent lesson via Wanderlust with Teresa McFayden. I have always steered clear of still life as I am not an accurate in drawing and painting. However she explained what to do over 3 videos and it was really inspiring. This is my jug of brushes and some hearts. Hope you like. I am so enjoying this course, there is just so much to learn and fun to be had doing it.

Sunday, 31 January 2016

I have joined an excellent on line class called Wanderlust. This is proving to be just what I need. So many ideas and challenges. This post encompasses 2 classes and one challenge.

Kate Crane taught us how to make a travel journel. This was fun especially as I knew I would use it for Marrakech. The journal was all painted and decorated before going so writing and pictures could be added as I went along. I also bought my self an instant camera so I could capture the moment. The result is great and I have already recorded memories.

In the next class Kasia showed what art stuff to pack when going away. I just feel I need everything which is not practicle on any level, I would a packing case! So I packed water colours, water brush and spritzer, pencils and a few journal pens. I created 3 watercolours and I am well chuffed. Who would have thought it ...me paint.

The January challenge for a load of decoart goodies was a journal page following Kasia's rule and on 'Sometimes what you are most afraid of doing is the very thing that sets you free'. In a square I was taking a picture of a snake charmer and before I knew it a snake was placed around my neck. Eek, I hate snakes. I did deem it a good subject for this challenge though. So here it is.

Sunday, 17 January 2016

This the prompt for the Wanderlust journal this week. With focus on travel journals I was thinking how excellent to take a photo and immediately be able to stick into a journal. So what I really want and now have is an instant camera. The first picture I forgot to take the lens cap off but the second one was good. It is one of the cats, Spook. He is looking disgusted at the weather and debating how urgently he needs to wee.

Kasia gave an excellent tuturial on composition this week. I tried but failed a little. I think my photo was too big for the journal page. #wanderlustclass

Thursday, 7 January 2016

I have joined an online journal and mixed media course called Wanderlust.

This week we started our Wanderlust journal, Kasia asked us to think of a word that describes you at this moment in time. Tired describes me to a T. I hate winter especially when raining as much as it has. Cold frosty mornings are good but we have none of them in the UK at the moment. Leaving for work in the dark and returning in the dark is not my idea of fun. Today I did leave work at 2pm so had a lovely afternoon crafting. Forget housework it will still be there tomorrow!

So brand new journal used especially for this project. I used the word tired and then all different words that can mean the same. The pictures of flowers are bleeding hearts which mocks my whinging. I love the stamp of the girl..is she hopeful, wistful, dreaming or tired.